Mike Baird to leave NAB

Former NSW premier Mike Baird has announced he will leave NAB to ‘take a break’ before looking for new opportunities.

Mike Baird Picture: Britta Campion

National Australia Bank consumer boss Mike Baird has decided to depart the bank in April, marking the first big change in new chief executive Ross McEwan’s front bench.

In a statement on Thursday, NAB said Mr Baird - former NSW premier - would leave the bank on April 15 to take a break before “considering new opportunities”.

Mr Baird joined NAB in 2017 and was head of corporate and institutional bank until moving to run the retail bank a year later.

“Mike has been a tremendous leader, challenger of convention and staunch advocate for customers in his time at NAB. He has always spoken up for doing the right thing and been a voice for the broader community,” Mr McEwan said.

“I am pleased that he has been part of my leadership team but understand and accept the reasons for his decision to leave.”

Mr Baird said he had experienced three rewarding years working with former NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn, Mr McEwan and the board through one of the “most challenging and disruptive periods” for Australian banks.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Ross and I know the cultural and structural changes being considered will be strong foundations for NAB’s future. He will make a big difference,” he said. “I have an open mind about what I will do next and will use the time to determine where I believe I can make the best, most fulfilling contribution to business and the wider community.”

Anthony Waldron, an executive general manager in Mr Baird’s team with more than 20 years’ experience at NAB and its subsidiaries, will act as head of the retail bank, subject to regulatory approvals, while NAB searches for a permanent replacement.

At NAB’s annual general meeting last year, Mr McEwan called out that he wanted to ramp up the retail bank as part of his new strategy, which is yet to be unveiled.

with Gerard Cockburn